Seoul and Kyiv clash over breach of secrecy pact regarding North Korean POWs

Key points

• South Korea’s presidential office expressed 'strong regret' over Ukraine’s unilateral disclosure, demanding an official apology and explanation for breaching a non-disclosure agreement.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed the transfer of two North Korean soldiers captured in Russia’s Kursk region in January 2025 during his UN General Assembly speech.
• Kyiv’s communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn denied the existence of a secrecy agreement, stating that the transfer was discussed at length but no presidential-level confidentiality pact was reached.
• South Korean President Lee Jae Myung criticized the disclosure as a violation of a confidentiality agreement, noting it could harm inter-Korean relations and the safety of the prisoners' families in North Korea.
• The two captured soldiers, who expressed a desire to defect, are now in South Korea and will undergo security screening and legal review under the North Korean Defectors Protection and Settlement Support Act.

Background

This dispute follows earlier coverage confirming the transfer of the two North Korean POWs to South Korea in late September 2026. Previous reports noted that the soldiers were captured in January 2025 and had expressed a desire to defect. The current conflict highlights the ongoing tension between Seoul’s efforts to maintain confidentiality for security reasons and Kyiv’s public announcement, which has strained diplomatic ties and raised concerns about the safety of the defectors' families in North Korea.

How outlets are covering it

Al Jazeera and CNN emphasize South Korea’s formal demand for an apology and the alleged breach of a non-disclosure agreement, highlighting the damage to bilateral trust. The Financial Times provides a broader diplomatic context, noting that Kyiv denies the existence of a secrecy pact and that the dispute has driven a wedge between the two nations despite their shared interest in countering North Korea’s military partnership with Russia. The FT also notes that Kyiv has expressed frustration over Seoul’s business ties with Moscow, including the transfer of refined fuels and a test voyage through the Arctic Northern Sea Route. All sources agree on the core facts of the transfer and the public disclosure by Zelenskyy, but differ on the existence and nature of the confidentiality agreement.

Why it matters

The dispute underscores the complex diplomatic and security challenges surrounding the handling of North Korean defectors and prisoners of war. It highlights the risks of public disclosure in cases where the safety of individuals and their families in North Korea is at stake, and it may impact future military and diplomatic cooperation between South Korea and Ukraine. The incident also reflects the broader tensions in the region, including North Korea’s military support for Russia and the potential for collective punishment of defectors' families in North Korea.

What to watch

South Korea’s Ministry of Unification will review the cases of the two North Korean soldiers under relevant laws, including the North Korean Defectors Protection and Settlement Support Act. The soldiers are expected to undergo questioning and security screening before Seoul decides whether to grant them protection and begin resettlement. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute and restore trust between Seoul and Kyiv are likely to continue, with potential implications for future military and humanitarian cooperation.